On December 9th, 2019, Merced Police officers responded to a fatal traffic collision at West Olive Avenue and Austin Avenue.

72-year-old Dan Gruych of Merced was driving a 2001 Toyota Tundra east on Olive Avenue when a 61-year-old female driving a 1994 Toyota Camry made a left turn onto Olive Avenue.

The vehicles collided in the intersection. The driver of the Camry sustained major injuries and succumbed to those injuries at the scene.

Drugs and Alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

Traffic Division personnel are actively working this investigation. Further information may be released when available.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this collision to contact the Merced Police Department Traffic Division at 209 388-7719 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.

The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message.